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The human body requires certain macro- and micro-nutrients in varying quantities throughout our lives in order to properly function and to optimize overall health. These nutrients include carbohydrates, fats and proteins, plus vitamins and minerals. The body receives a large majority of its requirements through the food we eat as well as through various forms of supplementation. Likewise, the body can experience deficiencies in particular nutrients when we don’t eat foods that contain the needed nutrients. There are several reasons why we may experience a deficiency: if we can’t absorb the nutrients due to an underlying health condition; if we don’t eat enough of these healthy foods; or if the foods we eat are poorly grown and have less than the ideal quantities of nutrients in them.
What Does Vitamin K Do?
Vitamin K is best known for its role in blood clotting. Without proper quantities of vitamin K, our body’s ability to stop bleeding after an injury would be severely impacted. Vitamin K is also considered to be a factor in the strength of our bones, especially as we age.
How Much Vitamin K a Day?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin K is dependant on the age, gender and race of each individual. Additionally, the RDA will fluctuate if a woman is pregnant or if a person is on other medications such as blood thinning agents. It is very important for your doctor to know if you are taking any vitamin K supplements; be sure to discuss your supplement regimen with your health care provider at each visit.
One of the tell-tale signs of vitamin K deficiency is an increase in bruising and bleeding. If you notice that you are bruising more easily or have a difficult time stopping clotting when you bleed, be sure to discuss these findings with your doctor at your next appointment.
Where Does Vitamin K Come From?
Vitamin K can be found in a wide variety of foods. These include green leafy vegetables such as chard, kale, collards, spinach and lettuces. Cabbage, cauliflower, cereals, soy products and many other vegetables all contain levels of vitamin K in them. Finally, your own body can produce some vitamin K as well. There are certain strains of bacteria in the body that can synthesize vitamin K right in the intestinal tract.
Vitamin K in Eye Skin Care
As we noted earlier, not enough vitamin K can show up as increased bruising or bleeding. The skin, too, can show us signs that we may need to boost our levels of this important vitamin. The under eye region of the skin is the thinnest region of skin on the body. When these “bags under the eyes” appear, it may be a signal that our body needs a boost of vitamin K. As new studies have shown, the best way to target dark circles under the eyes is to treat the area with topical vitamin K applications.
A recent study published in Cosmetic and Toiletries included two groups: one that applied an under eye cream containing sunscreen and another that applied an under eye cream containing a combination of vitamin K and retinol. An examination of the under eye color at the beginning of the study and at the end found a significant lightening in the group using the vitamin K and retinol combination.
“Whether dark circles under the eyes are a result of aging, genetics or sun damage, vitamin K has been shown to reduce the puffiness and discoloration associated with this oftentimes troubling problem,” said Dr. Baumann. “If patients feel that concealers for the under eye area are no longer covering their circles, they should look for under eye skin treatments that contain vitamin K or a combination of vitamin K plus retinol which has been shown to boost collagen production in the skin.”
One such product is Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue. This eye cream contains high levels of vitamin K liposomes and co-enzyme Q10 along with a powerful punch of antioxidants. Working together these molecules brighten and smooth the delicate region under the eye, leaving it perky, youthful looking and lighter in color.
SkinCeuticals Eye Balm with Triple Age Defense combines the best in eye skin care to rid you of those unwanted dark circles. Antioxidants, potent herbs with multiple vitamins plus Gorgonian Extract, a marine-derived natural inflammatory that reduces the appearance of puffiness and soothing extracts from the chamomile plant all work to make your tired, dark eyes feel and look refreshed, young and beautiful.
You’ll love using Revision Teamine Eye Complex with its numerous herbs, vitamins (including vitamin K) and other micronutrients that are absorbed into the cells of the eye skin to plump, moisturize and nourish. Ridding your eyes of dark circles has never been easier.
Article posted 11/20/2006.
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